Shloka 16
Nārada Sees Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Yoga-māyā in the Palaces of the Queens
Dvāra-kā-līlā
सम्पूज्य देवऋषिवर्यमृषि: पुराणो नारायणो नरसखो विधिनोदितेन । वाण्याभिभाष्य मितयामृतमिष्टया तं प्राह प्रभो भगवते करवाम हे किम् ॥ १६ ॥
sampūjya deva-ṛṣi-varyam ṛṣiḥ purāṇo nārāyaṇo nara-sakho vidhinoditena vāṇyābhibhāṣya mitayāmṛta-miṣṭayā taṁ prāha prabho bhagavate karavāma he kim
Après avoir pleinement honoré le grand sage des demi-dieux selon les injonctions védiques, Śrī Kṛṣṇa—lui-même le rishi originel, Nārāyaṇa, ami de Nara—s’entretint avec Nārada d’une parole mesurée, douce comme le nectar. Enfin il demanda : «Ô seigneur vénérable, que pouvons-nous faire pour toi ?»
In this verse the words nārāyaṇo nara-sakhaḥ indicate that Kṛṣṇa is Himself the Supreme Lord, Nārāyaṇa, who appeared as the friend of the sage Nara. In other words, Lord Kṛṣṇa is ṛṣiḥ purāṇaḥ, the original and supreme spiritual master. Nevertheless, following the Vedic injunctions ( vidhinoditena ) that a kṣatriya should worship the brāhmaṇas, Lord Kṛṣṇa happily worshiped His pure devotee Nārada Muni.
FAQs
This verse models the devotee’s mood: after proper worship and humility, one asks, “What may I do for Bhagavān?”—placing service (sevā) above personal demands.
Even as an exalted sage, Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi exemplifies ideal devotion—approaching the Lord with measured, respectful words and a readiness to serve according to divine will.
Begin spiritual acts with proper respect and discipline (vidhi), speak thoughtfully, and consciously shift prayer from “give me” to “how can I serve?” in daily duties, family life, and worship.